Safe Braking Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A safe braking apparatus using in a two-wheel vehicle includes a left brake unit that drives the real brake unit and the front brake unit simultaneously, a right brake unit that drives the real brake unit and the front brake unit simultaneously, a front brake unit that actuates a front-wheel brake of said two-wheel vehicles, and a real brake unit that actuates a real-wheel brake of said two-wheel vehicles. Wherein, the front brake unit always works less than the real brake unit in movement

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan applicationserial no. 098203603, filed on Mar. 10, 2009, and U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61232430, filed on Aug. 8, 2009. The entirety ofthe above-mentioned patent applications is incorporated herein byreference and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a braking apparatus, particularly toimprove a braking system of two-wheel traffic tools such as a bike ormotorcycle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most conventional braking systems for motorcycles or bicycles have twoindependent brakes devices for the front wheel and the rear wheel, thoseare driven by two independent cables and operated by a left handle and aright handle on one handlebar. This arrangement enables a user to slowdown or stop the traffic tool by breaking only the front wheel, only thereal wheel, or the both wheels.

Any skilled user knows that, if he want to slow down or stop such avehicle, it is better for him to break the rear wheel first, and thenbreak the front wheel latter. In this case, the vesicle will be undergood control. However, when the driver is a new user or when somethinghappens accidentally, coupled with the high speed of the vehicle, theuser may suffer from a roll-over accident if he applies the break on thefront wheel first. It is because that when the front wheel is blockindependently and the real wheel is still rolling, the vesicle will beout of control and possible start to skid or even fall over. Thereforeto design a more reliable braking system is very important for thesafety.

For this issue, people design many kinds of synchronous or balancedbrake systems. The user can control the braking devices of front andreal wheels simultaneously and synchronously by one or two brake handlesto slow down or stop the front and real wheels at the same time. Thosedevices may avoid the problems mentioned above. However, those so calledsynchronous or balanced brake systems can not achieve the effectivenessof the brakes. Within some braking device, when the user uses only onehand will not make enough movement of the brake cable to produce asufficient brake force. It is necessary for the driver to use both handsat the same time to stop the vehicle. Some braking device can slow downor stop the vesicle by one hand, but the hand should burden the work oftwo hands in the conventional braking system. If the grip force of theuser is not so sufficient, it will be difficult for him to stop thevesicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The main object of the present invention is to provide a safe brakingapparatus for two-wheel vehicles, such as bicycle and motorcycle. Thesystem is inclusive of a front brake, a rear brake, a left hand brakelever and a right hand brake lever. Regardless of whether the left orright hand brake lever is actuated firstly, or both hand brake leversare actuated simultaneously, the real break is preferentially actuatedsuch as the rear brake is never applied later than the front brake.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention willbe further understood from the further technological features disclosedby the embodiments of the present invention wherein there are shown anddescribed preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way ofillustration of modes best suited to carry out the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the safe braking apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view of the safe braking apparatus of thepresent invention in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 3A˜3C are sectional views of the safe braking apparatus of thepresent invention in the first embodiment at resting stage, in which 3Ais a front view, 3B is a side view, and 3C is a back view.

FIGS. 4A˜4C are sectional views of the safe braking apparatus of thepresent invention in the first embodiment at left hand used stage, inwhich 4A is a front view, 4B is a side view, and 4C is a back view.

FIGS. 5A˜5C are sectional views of the safe braking apparatus of thepresent invention in the first embodiment at left hand first and thenright hand used stage, in which 5A is a front view, 5B is a side view,and 5C is a back view.

FIGS. 6A˜6C are sectional views of the safe braking apparatus of thepresent invention in the second embodiment at resting stage, in which 6Ais a front view, 6B is a side view, and 6C is a back view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that other embodiment may be utilized andstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology used herein are for the purpose of description and shouldnot be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and“mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompassdirect and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings.

For the shortcomings of earlier apparatus, we need to invent a saferbraking apparatus. The main object is that, regardless of using his lefthand or right hand brake first, as long as the driver uses any one handto apply the braking apparatus, the apparatus will be able to provideadequate rear brakes first. If the driver applied the brake with onehand first, and then applies the brake with his another hand, theapparatus will be able to provide additional front-wheel brake after therear wheel has been braked. The purpose to apply brake on the real-wheelfirst and then the front-wheel second at any time will be reached. Ifthe driver uses both hands at the same time, the braking apparatus canstill provide a reliable result that braking the real-wheel first orbraking two wheels simultaneously. Therefore, the present invention canbe described as a safe braking apparatus.

The safe braking apparatus of the present invention in a firstembodiment mainly comprises: a left brake unit, a right brake unit, afront brake unit and a real brake unit. The left brake cable of leftbrake unit can drive the real and front brake units simultaneously. Andthe right brake cable of right brake unit can drive the real and thefront brake units simultaneously, too. However, because real brake unitconduct the force directly, and the front brake unit conduct it througha pulley or a gear. When only one hand is used or when uneven force ofboth hands is applied, the extent of movement of the real brake cable isalways greater than the front brake so that front wheel will not beslowed down or stopped first. The vesicle will not easily get out ofcontrol.

As shown in FIG. 1, the safe braking apparatus of the present inventionis assembled on a bicycle having a front brake 3, a rear brake 4, a lefthandle 1 with a left brake cable 10, and a right handle 2 with a rightbrake cable 20.

The details of the brake device in a first embodiment are shown in FIG.2 and FIGS. 3A˜3C. Referring to FIG. 2, the left brake cable 10 is fixedon the left brake rod 12 by left brake cable screw 11. The left brakerod 12 is connected to the left brake bar 13 and drives the left brakebar 13 sliding movement over the tracks 61 on the shell of brake device60. The right brake cable 20 is fixed on the right brake rod 22 by rightbrake cable screw 21. The right brake rod 22 is connected to the rightbrake bar 23 and drives the right brake bar 13 sliding movement over thetracks 61 on the shell of brake device 60. The left brake bar 13 isconnected to the front brake chain 31 and the real brake line 41 b. Theright brake bar 23 is connected to the front brake chain 31 and the realbrake line 41 a. The front brake chain 31 is set on the front brakechain pulley 32 that is fixed on the front brake link tablet 33, anddrives the front brake link tablet 33 sliding movement over the track61. The front brake cable 30 is fixed on the front brake link tablet 33by the front brake cable screw 34. When the front brake link tablet 33moves by the tracks 61, it can drive front brake 3 through the frontbrake cable 30. The real brake line 41 a is connected to the real brakeknot 42 a through the real brake link tablet 43. The real brake line 41b is connected to the real brake knot 42 b through the real brake linktablet 43. The real brake knot 42 a or another real brake knot 42 b candrive the real brake link tablet 43 sliding movement by the tracks 61.The real brake cable 40 is fixed on the real brake link tablet 43 by thereal brake cable screw 44. When the real brake link tablet 43 moves bythe tracks 61, it can drive real brake 4 through the real brake cable40.

Referring to FIGS. 4A˜4C, when the driver use left hand only to applythe brake, the left brake cable 10 moves immediately to drive the leftbrake rod 12 and the left brake bar 13. The left brake bar 13 drives thefront brake chain 31, the real brake lines 41 b and the real brake knot42 b. The real brake knot 42 b drives the real brake line tablet 43 andreal brake cable 40. The extent of movement of the real brake cable 40is the same as the extent of movement of the left brake cable 10. Butthe real brake lines 41 a and the real brake knot 42 a do not move. Atthe same time, the front brake chain 31 moves to turn the front brakechain pulley 32 and to drive the front brake line tablet 33. The frontbrake line tablet 33 drives the front brake cable 30. However, theextent of movement of the front brake cable 30 is an half of the extentof movement of the left brake cable 10. This is so-callednon-synchronous movement with the same phase.

Referring to FIGS. 5A˜5C, after using the left hand, the driver thenuses his right hand to apply the brake. The right brake cable 20 movesimmediately to drive the right brake rod 22 and the right brake bar 23.The right brake bar 23 drives the front brake chain 31, the real brakelines 41 a and the real brake knot 42 a. The front brake chain 31 movesto turn the front brake chain pulley 32 and to drive the front brakeline tablet 33. The front brake line tablet 33 drives the front brakecable 30. The extent of movement of the front brake cable 30 is an halfof the extent of movement of the right brake cable 20. However, becausethe real brake knot 42 a does not move at earlier stage, it can notdrive the real brake line tablet. Therefore, the real brake cable 40will stay.

In above example, the driver uses his left hand first and then uses hisright hand latter. The final result will be the same if he uses hisright hand first.

If the driver uses both hands to apply the brake at the same time withdifferent forces, the displacements of the left brake cable 10 and rightbrake cable 20 will be different. For example, the displacement of theleft brake cable 10 is 1 cm, and the displacement of the right brakecable is 0.5 cm. Because the left brake cable 10 and right brake cable20 drive the front cable 30 through the front brake chain pulley 32, soin theory, the displacement of the front brake cable is equivalent to(1+0.5)/2 cm, that is 0.75 cm. However, because the left brake cable 10or the right brake cable 20 can drive the real brake cable 40 directlythrough the real brake knot 42 a or 42 b, the displacement of the realbrake cable 40 is equivalent to max (1, 0.5) cm. Between the left brakecable 10 and the right brake cable 20, the one with greater displacementdecides the extent of displacement of the real brake 40, that is 1 cm inthis case.

If the driver uses both hands to apply the brake at the same time andproduces the same displacements of the left brake cable 10 and rightbrake cable 20, the displacements of the left brake cable 10, rightbrake cable 20, the front brake cable 30, and real brake cable 40 willall be the same.

From the implementation of the previous embodiment, the brakingapparatus would provide a result that, the displacement of the realbrake cable 40 is equal to the greater displacement between the leftbrake cable 10 and right brake cable 20 and the displacement of thefront brake cable 30 is equal to the average displacement of the leftbrake cable 10 and right brake cable 20. Therefore, the extent ofdisplacement of the real brake cable 40 must be greater than or equal tothe extent of displacement of the front brake cable 30. That is the maingoal of this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 6A˜6C, there are some different between the firstembodiment and the second embodiment. The front brake lever 36 replacesthe front brake pulley chain 32. The front brake lines 35 a and 35 breplace the front brake chain 31. The front brake lever 36 is fixed onthe front brake link tablet 33 and can be turned. The front brake lines35 a and 35 b link to the front brake lever with relatable joints. Thefunction of the front brake lever 36 is the same as the front brakepulley chain 32, which keeps the extent of displacement of the realbrake cable 40 greater than or equal to the extent of displacement ofthe front brake cable 30.

In practice, the brake cables may be loose and the linings of brake maybe attrited. At that time, the user can adjust the front brake cableadjustment screw 51 or the real brake cable adjustment screw 52 toensure the safety of the braking apparatus.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the inventiondisclosed herein, including configurations ways of the recessed portionsand materials and/or designs of the attaching structures. Further, thevarious features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone,or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to belimited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope ofthe claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

1. A safe braking apparatus using in a two-wheel vehicle, comprising: afront brake unit that actuates a front-wheel brake of said two-wheelvehicle; a real brake unit that actuates a real-wheel brake of saidtwo-wheel vehicle; a left brake unit that drives the real brake unit andthe front brake unit simultaneously; and a right brake unit that drivesthe real brake unit and the front brake unit simultaneously; whereinsaid front brake unit always works less than said real brake unit inmovement.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front brake unitcomprises: a pulley, a link tablet and a pulley cable; said pulley isset on said link tablet and pulled by said pulley cable that isconnected to said left brake unit and said right brake unit.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said real brake unit comprises: a linktablet that is connected to said left brake unit and said right brakeunit by link cables.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said leftbrake unit comprises: a left brake bar that is connected to said realbrake unit by a link cable and connected to said front brake unit by apulley cable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said right brake unitcomprises: a right brake bar that is connected to said real brake unitby a link cable and connected to said front brake unit by a pulleycable.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front brake unitcomprises: a lever, a link tablet and two lever cables; said lever isset on said link tablet and pulled by said lever cables where one of thelever cables is connected to said left brake unit and the other one ofthe lever cables is connected to said right brake unit.
 7. A safebraking apparatus using in a two-wheel vehicle, comprising: a frontbrake unit that actuates a front-wheel brake of said two-wheel vehicle;a real brake unit that actuates a real-wheel brake of said two-wheelvehicle; a left brake bar that drives the real brake unit directly anddrives the front brake unit through a pulley simultaneously; and a rightbrake bar that drives the real brake unit directly and drives the frontbrake unit through said pulley simultaneously.
 8. The apparatus of claim7, wherein said real brake unit comprises: a link tablet that slidablymoves to actuate the real brake of said two-wheel vehicle; two holes onthe link tablet, a cable with knot through one hole to connect said leftbrake bar and a cable with knot through the other hole to connect saidright brake bar.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said front brakeunit comprises: a link tablet that slidably moves to actuate the frontbrake of said two-wheel vehicle; a pulley cable that moves around saidpulley and one end thereof is connected to said left brake bar and theother end thereof is connected to said right brake bar.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein further comprises a holder; said leftbrake bar, said right brake bar, front brake unit and real brake unitcan move in there smoothly.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein saidleft brake bar comprises a moving bar and a link rod fixed on the movingbar; a cable screw on the rod for tying said link rod with a brakingcable.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said right brake barcomprises a moving bar and a link rod fixed on the moving bar; a cablescrew on the rod for tying said link rod with a braking cable.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein said real brake unit comprises a cablescrew for fixing a barking cable of the real brake on said two-wheelvehicle; an adjusting screw to adjust an intension degree of a brakingcable.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said front brake unitcomprises a cable screw for fixing a barking cable of the front brake onsaid two-wheel vehicle; an adjusting screw to adjust an intension degreeof a braking cable.